Which statement best describes the role of the Canadian Shield in Canada’s economy and population distribution?

• A. It hosts vast prairies ideal for large-scale farming.
• B. Rich mineral resources drive mining industries, and its terrain limits dense settlement, while lakes provide water resources and hydro potential.
• C. It is primarily a desert region with little water resources.
• D. It is the main center for commercial fishing and oil extraction.

Answer: (B)

Resource richness and rugged terrain determine how the Canadian Shield contributes to Canada’s economy and where people live. The Shield sits on vast mineral deposits—nickel, copper, gold, iron ore—that drive mining industries across parts of Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador. Its rocky surfaces, thin soils, and numerous lakes make dense settlement and large-scale farming impractical, so populations tend to cluster in southern cities and along waterways rather than spread across the Shield interior. The abundance of lakes also means plenty of fresh water and strong hydroelectric potential, powering cities and industries and guiding where development occurs. Together, these features explain why the Shield is a cornerstone for mining and hydroelectric power, while supporting only sparse interior population.